Uganda Gorilla Tracking &Lake Bunyonyi Canoe Trek - 4 Days
Uganda 4 day Bwindi gorilla tracking tour with canoe trekking in Lake Bunyonyi.
This 4 days safari takes you to track the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and also experience Uganda's most beautiful landscape, Lake Bunyonyi in the most exciting way - canoe trekking riding through the beautiful islands of Lake Bunyonyi.
A wonderful way to experience Lake Bunyonyi, meaning “place of many little birds”, is to follow in the footsteps of the local people and jump into a dugout canoe. With its terraced hillsides and hidden coves, Lake Bunyonyi is a haven of tranquility that provides the perfect place to relax and unwind. The lake lies in south-western Uganda, between Kisoro and Kabale and close to the border with Rwanda. It was formed when the original valley exit was blocked by volcanic eruptions, creating a freshwater paradise that is a pleasure to explore. Canoe trekking allowed us to discover some of the remoter parts of the Bunyonyi valley, home to the Bakiga and the Batwa “pygmies”
Tour Itinerary for Uganda Gorilla Tracking & Lake Bunyonyi Canoe Trek - 4 Days
- Day 1: Start from Entebbe or Kampala or Kigali driving to Bwindi impenetrable Forest, overnight in lodge in Bwindi.
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, overnight in lodge in Bwindi.
- Day 3: Half-day canoe trekking on Lake Bunyonyi, the afternoon relaxing by the lake.
- Day 4: Depart for Kampala/Entebbe/ Kigali
Day 1: Start from Kampala or Entebbe Bwindi impenetrable Forest, Equator stop-over
Your Uganda Gorillas trekking, and Lake Bunyonyi tour shall commence with your tour guide meeting you at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala or Kigali at 7 am. You will be briefed through the tour program and then set off for your drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
We shall have numerous interesting stops along the way including the Equator, local Ugandan farmlands, beautiful scenery for photographs, and of course your lunch break in Mbarara city.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Mahogany Springs Lodge | Buhoma Lodge | Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge Bwindi
Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge| Engagi Lodge | Gorilla Mist Camp
Low Budget: Gorilla Haven Lodge Rushaga | Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp | Gorilla Conservation Camp
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The whole of this day is reserved for tracking the mountain gorillas in Bwindi. Your driver will be meeting you over breakfast at about 7 am to discuss more details about your preparation for gorilla trekking before transferring you to the park headquarters for briefing. The briefing also has a lot of gorilla conservation information shared. Usually, a traditional cultural music and dance piece from the Bakiga tribe is performed for the gorilla visitors. After all this, you will be allocated the gorilla group to track in the forest. The driver might have to drive you to the gorilla trek trailhead before you start hiking into the jungles of Bwindi in search of the silverbacks and their family.
The usual time to reach the gorillas is quite unpredictable but it would normally not go beyond 4 hours. We trek the gorillas through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. There are several stops along the trek for you to catch your breath and also for the park rangers to share more information about the park, its biodiversity, and the other species here. These include 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths, and an exceptional 120 types of mammal including 10 primates. You could encounter primates like the chimpanzee, L'Hoest's, red-tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboon. There are also at least 350 bird species that have been recorded resident in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, seven of which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, species which are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.
When the gorillas are sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Mahogany Springs Lodge | Buhoma Lodge | Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge Bwindi
Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge| Engagi Lodge | Gorilla Mist Camp
Low Budget: Gorilla Haven Lodge Rushaga | Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp | Gorilla Conservation Camp
Day 3: Half Day Canoe Trekking on Lake Bunyonyi, relaxing in the afternoon
After breakfast, we drive to Lake Bunyonyi. On arrival, set out for a 5-hour canoe trek as well as bird watching on the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, traversing to the gorgeous Kyabahinga peninsula. Here you will be gladly welcomed with songs plus dances by the resident school children. You will enjoy with the locals at least a cup of “Obushera” which is a local brew. You will ascend the Kyabahinga slopes having a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the birdlife and the verdant terrain. The view is very breathtaking! The guide will certainly brief you about the history of the area.
Among the bird species, you will see are the Dusky Turtle Dove, the Handsome Francolin, and Alpine Chat. A renowned herbalist who is a traditional healer -Omugurusi Jeremiah, based on the hilltop will disclose to you some of the secrets about the flora on the tropical highland.
Accommodation options we usually book for Lake Bunyonyi (all on fullboard basis)
Up-market: Bird's Nest | Acadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi
Moderate: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Low Budget: Itambira Island
Day 4: Drive from Lake Bunyonyi back to Entebbe or Kigali
After breakfast, you shall embark on your return journey from Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe / Kampala or Kigali. The drop-off can be at your hotel or at the airport if you are flying out that same day.
Included
- Accommodation for the gorilla trek as indicated on program (on full board basis)
- 1 gorilla trekking permit per person
- Canoe trekking on Lake Bunyonyi
- Sightseeing as noted in the trip itinerary
- Park fees
- Entry fees
- Ground transportation by private 4WD safari vehicles
- Additional guides/porters where appropriate
Excluded
- Flight tickets and departure taxes
- Travel documentation (visas)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Optional excursions
- Excess baggage charges
- Tips and gratuities for your guides and accommodation staff
- Laundry
- Beverages other than mineral water in the vehicle and at meal times with meals
- Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, postage fees and so on
Talk to Our Uganda Gorilla Tracking Tour Specialist
Enquire about uniquely different gorilla tracking experience in Uganda.
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